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MEMOIRS OF RACHEL. 348

proposal had suggested, resolved to remain and try their for-
tunes there, since they were so far from home. Having men-
tioned this to Rachel, she highly approved of their plan, and
promised her support.

" Go to New York," said she; " I will pay your expenses
thither; my brother must give you the amount of your fare
back to Europe; that sum will enable you to live until you
can .carry out your plan. Tou will have letters of credit and
recommendation from me to use in case of failure. Write me
all particulars; you will always find me ready to assist you;
you are the only disinterested friends I have met with in my
life." She cautioned them not to mention to their compan-
ions her good intentions.

When the two adventurous ladies went to Raphael for their
passage-money there was quite a commotion among the other
members of the- company.

"What were they going to do in America?"

" Going to act, of course."

The example was contagious—all would stay; the next day
half had repented; then again only four would remain; on
the eve of sailing there were but the two proposers of the scheme
and the hair-dresser still firm in the resolve; and on the 8th,
when the vessel left, the two ladies only embarked, steadfastly
resisting all efforts made to dissuade them.

The real motive for the apparent fickleness of the other
actors was the opposition their plan met with from Raphael.
When the Havaneros found they were not to. hear Rachel,
they expressed a wish to see at least the other members of the
company, and the latter, nothing loth, as they were no longer
receiving a salary, proposed giving a series of performances
without the co-operation of the tragedienne. The manager,
who intended returning the following year at the head of a
company, fearing that the novelty would be over if the pres-
ent scheme took effect, refused to permit of it.

At first there was a strong tendency to resistance; they
would remain and give a series of pieces in three acts, requir-
ing seven performers at most. The far-off yellow fever at last
conquered, and they thought they had better not lose their
passage-money.



	MEMOIRS OF RACHEL. 348 proposal had suggested, resolved to remain and try their for- tunes there, since they were so far from home. Having men- tioned this to Rachel, she highly approved of their plan, and promised her support. " Go to New York," said she; " I will pay your expenses thither; my brother must give you the amount of your fare back to Europe; that sum will enable you to live until you can .carry out your plan. Tou will have letters of credit and recommendation from me to use in case of failure. Write me all particulars; you will always find me ready to assist you; you are the only disinterested friends I have met with in my life." She cautioned them not to mention to their compan- ions her good intentions. When the two adventurous ladies went to Raphael for their passage-money there was quite a commotion among the other members of the- company. "What were they going to do in America?" " Going to act, of course." The example was contagious—all would stay; the next day half had repented; then again only four would remain; on the eve of sailing there were but the two proposers of the scheme and the hair-dresser still firm in the resolve; and on the 8th, when the vessel left, the two ladies only embarked, steadfastly resisting all efforts made to dissuade them. The real motive for the apparent fickleness of the other actors was the opposition their plan met with from Raphael. When the Havaneros found they were not to. hear Rachel, they expressed a wish to see at least the other members of the company, and the latter, nothing loth, as they were no longer receiving a salary, proposed giving a series of performances without the co-operation of the tragedienne. The manager, who intended returning the following year at the head of a company, fearing that the novelty would be over if the pres- ent scheme took effect, refused to permit of it. At first there was a strong tendency to resistance; they would remain and give a series of pieces in three acts, requir- ing seven performers at most. The far-off yellow fever at last conquered, and they thought they had better not lose their passage-money.